Lamorinda Briefs: Former Selective Service head Tarr dies

Lamorinda Sun

Posted:
06/27/2013 12:24:57 PM PDT

Updated:
06/28/2013 02:18:10 PM PDT

ROSSMOOR

Former Selective Service head Tarr dies

Curtis W. Tarr, who held three presidential appointments during the Vietnam War era, including the top post at the Selective Service, died Friday in Walnut Creek from complications due to pneumonia. He was 88.

In 1970 President Richard Nixon appointed Tarr to be director of the Selective Service, to reform the draft at a time when resistance to conscription and the war in Vietnam had reached a peak.

"Tarr made the draft more equitable and understandable to young men, particularly the operation of the lottery and guidelines on conscientious objection," said Walnut Creek attorney Richard Lam, a Tarr family friend. "He could not gain Congressional approval for the most critical change he felt was needed -- the elimination of college deferments."

Tarr helped the White House and Pentagon transition to an all-volunteer military force before, in 1972, becoming Undersecretary of State for Security Assistance. There he had responsibility for military programs with foreign nations.

After leaving the State Department, Tarr became vice president of Deere & Co. in Moline, Ill., and later became dean of the Samuel Curtis Johnson School of Management at Cornell University.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church, 902 Danville Blvd. in Alamo.

MORAGA-ORINDA FIRE DISTRICT

Board application deadline July 10

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Fire officials have decided to fill a vacant board seat by appointment, and are accepting applications from prospective candidates.

The board made that decision at a meeting last week; they also decided to hold an election should they fail to make the appointment.

Applicants should submit a summary of qualifications to fire chief Randy Bradley by 5 p.m. July 10. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered voters and residents of District 1, which includes Moraga. They must also be at least 18 years old by the day of appointment.

A decision by the Orinda planning commission whether to issue a new land use permit to the Moraga Valley Swim & Tennis Club has been postponed until July 23 so the club and neighboring residents who are upset about the proposed changes can work out their differences.

The club is asking the city to issue a new general land use permit that would allow for more swim and tennis meets during the summer months. Operators extended pool hours and the use of loudspeakers and amplified sound for meets and other events. The club has also asked for permission to hold events for nonmembers. According to a city analysis, amplified sound would create an impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The department is also not backing a request to open the club to nonmembers due to the potential for increased traffic.

The commission is scheduled to consider the matter again July 23.

MORAGA

PD's 'Kid's Day' July 13 at the New Rheem

The Moraga Police Department is once again teaming with the New Rheem Theatre to sponsor a "Kids Day" from noon to 3 p.m. July 13 at the New Rheem Theatre, a fundraising event to benefit the Special Olympics Northern California.

The event will consist of a special matinee showing of the kids movie "Despicable Me" (starting at 11 a.m. for $5 per ticket), plus a festival of fun activities, including a bounce house, balloon animals and face painting, carnival games with prizes, kids fingerprinting, food, a raffle of prizes including items donated by local businesses and more. Moraga police officers will staff the activities.

Everyone is welcome.

Lafayette

Joint chamber mixer to help troops

It's the mother of all mixers. Join the Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Greater Concord, Orinda, and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce for a "Seven-Chamber Mixer" on Wednesday, July 10. Each chamber will be hosting a food sample table, prepared by a restaurant in their city. Corners Tavern will represent Walnut Creek. The $5 entrance fee will be donated to Operation Marine Care to purchase items for care packages that will be sent to troops overseas.

The mixer will take place 5:30 p.m. July 10 at the Lafayette Events Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette.